‘I hae mair modesty,’ replied Walter, ‘than to be my ain trumpeter--I’ll say naething but what Mr. Keelevin bids me.’ Gabriel smiled encouragingly to George at this, who continued,-- ‘You had better tak care what ye say.’ ‘Na,’ cried Watty, ‘an that’s the gait o’t, I’ll keep a calm sough--least said’s soonest mendit--I’ll haud my tongue.’ ‘But you must answer every question.’ ‘Is’t in the Shorter or the Larger Catechism?’ said Walter. ‘I can say till the third petition o’ the t’ane, and frae end to end o’ the t’ither.’ ‘That’s quite enough,’ replied Gabriel, ‘and more than will be required of you.’ But the satisfaction which such an agreeable exposure of the innocency of the simpleton was calculated to afford to all present, was disturbed at this juncture by the entrance of Mr. Keelevin. ‘I’m glad, gentlemen,’ said he, the moment he came in, ‘that I have found you here. I think you must all be convinced that the investigation should na gang further. I’m sure Mr. Walter will be willing to grant a reasonable consideration to his mother for her care and trouble in the house, and even to assign a moitie o’ his income to you, Mr. George. Be counselled by me:--let us settle the matter in that manner quietly.’ Pitwinnoch winked to his client,--and Wattie said,-- ‘What for should I gie my mother ony more? Has na she bed, board, and washing, house-room and chattels, a’ clear aboon her jointure? and I’m sure Geordie has nae lawful claim on me for ony aliment.--Od, Mr. Keelevin, it would be a terrible wastrie o’ me to do the like o’ that. They might weel mak me daft if I did sae.’ ‘But it will be far decenter and better for a’ parties to enter into some agreement of that sort. Don’t you think so, Mrs. Walkinshaw, rather than to go on with this harsh business of proving your son an idiot?’ ‘I’m no an idiot, Mr. Keelevin,’ exclaimed Walter--‘though it seems to me that there’s a thraw in the judgement o’ the family, or my mother and brother would ne’er hae raised this stramash about my capacity to take care o’ the property. Did na I keep the cows frae the corn a’ the last Ruglen fair-day, when Jock, the herd, got leave to gang in to try his luck and fortune at the roley-poleys?’ Honest Mr. Keelevin wrung his hands at this. ‘I’m sure, sir,’ said George, in his sleekest manner, ‘that you must yourself, Mr. Keelevin, be quite sensible that the inquiry ought to proceed to a verdict.’ ‘I’m sensible o’ nae sic things, Mr. George,’ was the indignant answer. ‘Your brother is in as full possession of all his faculties as when your father executed the cursed entail, or when he was married to Kilmarkeckle’s dochter.’ ‘’Deed, Mr. Keelevin,’ replied Walter, ‘ye’re mista’en there; for I hae had twa teeth tuggit out for the toothache since syne; and I hae grown deaf in the left lug.’ ‘Did na I tell you,’ said the worthy man, angrily, ‘that ye were na to open your mouth?’